In a dramatic and unusually personal assessment of the ongoing conflict, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth declared on Friday that Iran's new supreme leader has been physically injured in the American military campaign, leaving him "likely disfigured."
The stunning claim came during a morning press briefing where Hegseth painted a picture of a decimated and desperate Iranian leadership, hiding from the full force of the US military's offensive.
Hegseth: "That's What Rats Do"
According to Hegseth, the leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei—who assumed power after his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed earlier in the war—is not only in hiding but also bears the physical scars of the conflict.
"Desperate and hiding, they've gone underground, cowering," Hegseth told reporters. "That's what rats do. We know the new so-called not-so-Supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured."
The War Secretary pointed to the Iranian leader's recent communication—a written statement issued on Thursday—as further evidence of his weakened state. Hegseth contrasted this with the regime's usual propaganda-filled video addresses.
"It was a written statement," Hegseth emphasized. "Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father dead. He's scared, he's injured, he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy. It's a mess for them. Who's in charge? Iran may not even know."
US Military Objectives: "Decimating" the Regime
Hegseth's remarks on the leader's condition were part of a broader update on the US military campaign, which he described as unprecedented in its speed and effectiveness.
"We're on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before," Hegseth asserted. He vowed that "soon, and very soon, all of Iran's defense companies will be destroyed."
He reiterated the core military objectives guiding the US action:
Defeat the missiles, launchers, and the defense industrial base.
Defeat the Iranian Navy.
Deny Iran the ability to possess a nuclear weapon.
Hegseth described these goals as "clear, decisive, achievable."
Analysis: A New Phase in Information Warfare?
The War Secretary's personal attack on the physical condition of the Iranian leader marks a significant escalation in the rhetorical war. By claiming Mojtaba Khamenei is "disfigured" and hiding, the US is attempting to project an image of total victory and portray the Iranian leadership as weak, frightened, and illegitimate.
The claim, which could not be independently verified, is likely to further inflame tensions and is a clear attempt to demoralize both the Iranian leadership and its supporters. It also serves to bolster domestic support for the war by demonstrating the tangible effects of the US campaign.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
